BATON ROUGE — Day two in the Bayou did not result in the Huskies’ second win of the season, but in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to No. 2 Louisiana State, Northeastern showed the ability to at least compete neck-and-neck with the nation’s best. However, they still just have one win on the year, and as much as competing can show promise, it doesn’t always equate to success.
“Another disappointing loss,” said Northeastern head coach Mike Glavine after the game. “I think some people may look at it as a moral victory. I don’t believe in those. We’re 1-6.”
Now one can argue whether ‘moral victories’ exist or not — for the most part, I agree with Glavine — but there are certainly positives to be taken away from Saturday. Most notably, LSU is (now) 10-1 and ranked No. 2 nationally, and Northeastern — a team that historically struggles against the top-end talent on the national stage — was in it until the final pitch.
However, as Glavine pointed out, outside of a few key players, the Huskies did not play particularly well. Although it wasn’t the bludgeoning that some fans and media members may have expected to watch, it became apparent early that Northeastern was on the way to a death by a million cuts at the hands of the Tigers.
“We had opportunities to win this game today,” explained Glavine. “I think all three runs were free bases, [we conceded] too many walks, [there were] wild pitches, stolen bases, and we kind of gift-wrapped them a couple runs.”
The walks and free bases were certainly an issue for Northeastern. After allowing five bases on balls and five hit by pitches on Friday the trend mostly carried over to Saturday, with the Huskies giving up seven walks — six of which were conceded by starter Matthew Sapienza. Against a team like LSU, that was just too much opportunity for the Tigers to ignore.
On the topic of self-inflicted wounds, a notably questionable decision came in the first inning with two outs and runners on the corners.
The game was knotted at zero, and it appeared Northeastern may have escaped the opening stanza unblemished. But, be it the yips or the urge to stand out in front of the nearly 12,000 Tiger fans in attendance, for some inexplicable reason sophomore catcher Will Fosberg chose to throw down to try to catch Steven Milam stealing second base — which he did — to get the third out. However, in the process, he gave the Tigers their first free run as Jake Brown, who was standing on third, took an easy trot to home.
Don’t ask me why, I just tell the story.
The following run for LSU was more palatable, as well placed hitting by Brayden Simpson drove in a run. But, the third LSU score, driven in by Omar Serna Jr. was arguably more upsetting than Fosberg’s decision. After a line drive to center field, junior outfielder Ryan Gerety bobbled the ball on a routine transfer, allowing Trent Caraway to score from first.
Yet as aforementioned, Saturday’s loss was not all bad. They competed at times, and as the game progressed it appeared Northeastern may actually make things interesting.
Sapienza was pulled with one out in the fourth after allowing a four hits, three runs, and six walks. His replacement, senior transfer Luc Rising, showed up for the Huskies, allowing just one hit, one walk, and notching three strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work.
“I thought Luc Rising was awesome. He gave us a chance to win,” said Glavine. “We got a guy on the mound that can throw 3-4 pitches for strikes, and then you see what happens. We have really been one-dimensional on the mound this year. [When he came in it changed] the momentum of the game. … He showed what he could do, and it was awesome.”
Plus, Northeastern had the added benefit of redshirt freshman AJ Aschettino getting his first career hit — a solo homer in the fifth inning to give the Huskies dugout some life. He later added a double, but a first career hit being a homerun in front of 12,000 people has to count for something, right?
In the end, Northeastern showed some fight and the ability to compete. How much does that matter?
Not a whole bunch to Glavine.
“The only thing [competing with LSU] means is we are getting better, I guess,” said Glavine.
But, it should give some credence to the idea that, although they are 1-6 overall, Northeastern could be a scrappy team and build something as the season progresses.
The Huskies return on Sunday, March 1st, for a rematch against Grambling State. Mike Kaminsky and Luke Graham will be on the call from Alex Box Stadium again this time starting at 7:30 EST. / 6:30 CST.
Luke Graham is the Digital Content Manager for WRBB Sports. He has covered Northeastern hockey and baseball with WRBB both on-air and in print for three years. Read all his articles here, and follow him on X here.